Summer Reading Challenge | Unearth a Story
Dear NECSD students, parents, guardians, and families,
As we enjoy the summer recess, I would like to remind our students and families of an important initiative designed to help sustain student learning and advance our district’s ongoing literacy goals. This summer, we provided high-quality, grade-level reading books to all students currently enrolled in grades Kindergarten-11, from Scholastic.
This initiative reflects our continued commitment to literacy as a foundational priority across our school district. By ensuring that every student has access to engaging texts over the summer, we are intentionally reinforcing the reading skills developed throughout the school year while working to prevent summer learning loss.
We cannot solely rely on our teachers to develop strong literacy skills in our scholars. Like with any skill, the more we practice, the more natural and confident we become, allowing us to move to the next level. Research shows that consistent reading during the summer months strengthens comprehension, builds vocabulary, and supports long-term academic success.
Our Pre-K children, along with students in grades K-4, each received a selection of books from a thoughtfully curated collection aligned to their grade level, interests, and reading development. Additionally, we will provide supportive resources and strategies to help students engage meaningfully with their reading and develop independence as learners.
To ensure every scholar has the resources they need to succeed, students in grades 5-11 were each provided with a book to keep. To further expand access, reading lists for grades 6-12 will be shared with the Newburgh Free Library, encouraging students to explore additional titles and challenge themselves with more advanced texts as they strive for the highest standard possible.
We encourage families to make reading a regular part of their summer routine by discussing books together and supporting daily reading habits. Our goal is not only to prevent the “summer slide,” but to actively cultivate a culture of literacy across our community—one where reading is both accessible and enjoyable.
Through this effort, we are reaffirming our commitment to developing confident, capable, and enthusiastic readers while ensuring that literacy remains at the center of our work, year-round. We are not alone!
Assemblymember Jonathan Jacobson
This summer, Assemblyman Jonathan Jacobson has launched a Summer Reading Challenge, in cooperation with the 2026 Summer Reading at New York Libraries program. An alumnus of Newburgh Free Academy, Assemblyman Jacobson is encouraging children to read for 15 minutes a day for at least 40 days in July and August, track their progress, and send it to his office to receive a certificate. Assemblyman Jacobson's Summer Reading Challenge announcement | Program guidelines and tracker
Newburgh Free Library
Along with Assemblyman Jacobson, the Newburgh Free Library has a similar challenge to "Unearth a Story." Forms can be picked up at the Newburgh Free Library or downloaded here. Make sure you register here to join in the reading fun!
Thank you for your continued partnership and support. I wish you and your family a safe, restful, and enriching summer.
In partnership,
Dr. Jackielyn Manning Campbell
Superintendent of Schools
Superintendent's Corner | LinkedIn
ATTENTION: Are your scholars or colleagues doing something great? Please contact the district Communications Team at communications@necsd.net. We’d love to visit your class or event and/or post your pictures and recap to highlight the amazing accomplishments throughout our district!
